Travis, who still maintains his friendship with James, is an alumnus of the University of Akron. He’s had a lengthy professional career overseas and currently starts at power forward for Le Mans Sarthe Basket in France’s ProA league.

In the Q&A with LeBron Wire below, Travis discusses the Cleveland Cavaliers’ flurry of moves at the NBA trade deadline on Thursday.

LeBronWire: Where do you think the Cavs improved most after the trades?

Travis: I think the Cavs improved by getting younger [and] hungrier.

LW: A lot of players have raved about Rodney Hood’s game. What have you seen from him that you think has caused that reaction?

Travis: [Rodney] Hood is a really dynamic scorer who can put the ball in the basket a lot of different ways. And with a lot of pressure taken off of him offensively, I think he will be even better.

LW: What role do you see Larry Nance Jr. playing? Starting or coming off of the bench?

Travis: I see [Larry] Nance Jr. coming off the bench. Providing a spark and [bringing] the energy the Cavs need.

LW: What do you think was the biggest issue in trying to integrate Isaiah Thomas?

Travis: I think the [Isaiah Thomas] experiment just didn’t have enough time to really work. With an injured player, a new system and a new role. I think it was too much too fast with not enough sample size. Fifteen games is not enough to really tell if [Thomas] would fit or not.

LW: Do you think the moment when Jae Crowder seemed to ignore Kevin Love asking for help on the court (see here) played a part in him being traded or was the move all about getting Rodney Hood?

Travis: [Jae] Crowder played better in a motion system similar to the Celtics so him leaving will actually benefit him instead of being primarily a spot-up shooter. And of course it was more so Hood than anything else.

LW: Do you think the personnel on the roster is a group that LeBron James would like to play with next season?

Travis: I think if the Cavs want to keep LeBron [James], they need to make a big splash during this offseason.

LW: Who, or what position, would you say the Cavs have their targets on in the 2018 NBA Draft after these moves?

Travis: The Cavs should take the best point guard available or the best center. Those are their two biggest trouble areas.

[Interview has been edited and condensed for clarity]

Perhaps the most interesting answer from the Q&A was Travis’ answer regarding if this roster has enough talent for LeBron to re-sign. In Travis’ estimation, the Cavs still need to make a splash move in the offseason in order to retain James. While that could come in the form of a draft night trade involving the Brooklyn Nets’ pick, it could also involve moving Kevin Love.

If Travis is right, Koby Altman’s job is far from over. It remains to be seen just how comfortable this group can get by the postseason and how well they fit. Nonetheless, their arrival has reinvigorated a Cavs season that was quickly devolving into a chaos.

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